Live Oak Public Libraries will receive a $20,000 gift from Carnegie Corporation of New York, the foundation established by Andrew Carnegie. The award is part of Carnegie Libraries 250, a special initiative celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and honoring the roughly 1,280 Carnegie Libraries still serving their communities across the United States.

Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of 1,681 free public libraries nationwide between 1886 and 1917. Approximately 750 of them continue to use their original buildings, while others have moved to new locations. Live Oak Public Libraries' Carnegie Library on East Henry Street, known then in segregated Savannah as the "Carnegie Colored Public Library," opened in 1915. The Bull Street Library opened a year later. LOPL ls proud to operate two of 25 Carnegie Libraries in Georgia built through this historic program.

“We are grateful and honored to receive this unexpected gift, honoring the history of Carnegie Libraries and the role they have played in communities nationwide for more than a century,” said Lola DeWitt, Executive Director of Live Oak Public Libraries.

"It is particularly timely as we look toward reopening the Carnegie Library on East Henry Street this spring as the Carnegie Library Heritage Center, once the restoration of the building and grounds are complete," DeWitt continued.

The East Henry building, scheduled for an autumn 2024 restoration, closed in August, 2024 after substantial water intrusion during Tropical Storm Debby rendered the building unsafe for occupancy.

“Our founder, Andrew Carnegie, who championed the free public library movement of the late 19th century, described libraries as ‘cradles of democracy’ that ‘strengthen the democratic idea, the equality of the citizen, and the royalty of man,’” said Dame Louise Richardson, president of Carnegie and former head of the University of Oxford. “We still believe this and are delighted to celebrate our connection to the libraries he founded.”

Live Oak Public Libraries will receive the gift in January 2026, and the funds will be designated to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, further our mission, and benefit our community.

For more information about Live Oak Public Libraries programs, resources and services, visit www.liveoakpl.org. For an interactive map from the Carnegie Corporation highlighting historic libraries go to www.carnegie-libraries.carnegie.org.